The Irish standard., 1887-01-08
The FIRST COLORED PRIEST
In America Was Not Father Tolton, but q
Young Negro, Whom Rev.
DR.. England,
THE BISHOP OF CHARLESTON,
Sent to France to Prepare for Holy Orders,
and Was Afterwards Ordained
by His Grace.

exceedingly lntelllgenG negro, all lrlSn-
! man by birth. After few interviews
! with the young man, he conceived the
idea Of educating him for the priest
hood, believing that he would be SER
viceable in that capacity among the
negroes in South Carolina, many of
whom were Catholics. Consequently
he sent him to France to prepare for
holy orders. After spending several
years in The seninalies, having com,
pleted his studies, the young man came
to Charleston; and the bishop ordained
him, gave HIM faculties, and sent him
on the mission among his bretheren-
| 50 that Father Tolton is really not the
first colored priest. Strange to say, his
people received him very coldly, and in
fact, gave him to understand that they
did not want him, that they preferred
white shepherds. This greatly discour-
aged him, but he labored earnestly for
a time, till. finding he could do no good
he resolved to leave them and go to
Europe, where he could be better re-
ceiyed. Accordingly he started to New
York to take passage for France. Arliv-
ing early on Sunday morning he con-
cluded to Say mass as usual. st.
Pvter's being the nearest church, he
directed his steps thither. The pastor.
Dr.. p, was a native of Cork, like
our friend. Having come to the pas
toral residence, our friend assembled
the steps, rang the bell and inquired for
the pastor.
The servant informed him that the
doctor was at breakfast, and pointing
to the basement. said:
IF you wish to see the doctor, go
down there"
Having closed the hall door, the SER
want ran down to the doctor and told
him that a livery conceity looking black
man. was coming down to see him on
important business.
sTell him to come IN here" said the
doctor.
When our friend entered the room
the doctor, without rising from the
table, bowed politely to the man and
said, with rich Cork accent:
GOOD morning, sir.''
'Good morning kindly" replied our
friend, with just as rich brogue.
The doctor, surprised at the accent,
looked carefully at the man, and said to
l.; x,ovr,
What countryman are you, sir?"
I'm an Irishman, SIR
IAN. Irishman7" said the doctor, still
more surprised.
"Yes sir, an lrishman."
Then what part of Ireland are you
from?''
'sl'm from Cork, sir"
"Were you born there?" said the
doctor, perfectly astonished.
II was, SIR" replied our friend.
What is your occupations" said the
doctor.
II have the honor of beng clergy
mana priest
s'A priest?" exclaimed the doctor.
Eyes SIR" was the answer.
sWho, in the name of God, tell me,
ordained you?''
''Bishop England, SIR" said our
friend.
This was too much for the doctor, SO
he called the servant to show the man
the door. A black priest was, in his
opinion, bad enough, but he thought it
was carrying the joke too far for the
man to try to pass for Cork man and
a priest ordained by Bishop England;
SO he motioned towards the door, and
said: CLEAR off; you are a base i'm
poster.''
ALLOW me to show you my creder,-
tials,' said our friend, proceeding to
unlock his valise. SO, having produced
the documents, together with some let
ters of recommendation and his exeat
from Bishop England, he was permitted
to sit down and explain matters.
Even then the doctor was not alto
gether convinced till he had questioned
him in Latin and on certain theological
points. Having received correct an
swers, in Classical Latin, to his ques-
tions, he excused himself for his incre-
dulity; but said he, II am afraid to.
allow you to say mass in the church.
These New Workers are very unruly
people. and am afraid they would do
some damage to you, as they are not
all friendly to the black men. However
Ihave no objection TO allow YOU to say
mass privately in the ba ement of the
church, or in the house here, which
ever you choose. =
Our friend, seeing the great prejudice